An individual who commandeered a California Highway Patrol (CHP) cruiser and led authorities on a high-speed chase met a tragic end after leaping from the speeding vehicle on Tuesday. The incident unfolded shortly before noon, following reports of an erratic motorist in the Newhall area.
Police officers initially spotted the driver heading northbound on the I-5 Freeway at Hasley Canyon Road. The suspect, whose Toyota Corolla eventually collided with a barrier, managed to commandeer the CHP vehicle shortly thereafter. The pursuit persisted, taking the participants to the Lancaster vicinity, where the driver made the fatal decision to exit the moving car at a rapid clip.
The ill-fated leap was prompted by the cruiser's loss of control after one of its rear tires deflated due to a spike strip. Consequently, the vehicle plowed into a power pole before coming to rest in a grassy patch adjacent to the freeway.
CHP officers administered first aid to the suspect on site before paramedics arrived to transport the individual to a nearby medical facility. Tragically, the suspect succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, as confirmed by the CHP.
Officer Alec Pereyda, a CHP spokesperson, addressed the situation, stating that it is customary for patrol vehicles to be locked while running. The circumstances that allowed the suspect to abscond with the cruiser remain unclear.
Pereyda also noted that there were concerns about the possibility of the suspect gaining access to the firearms stored in the commandeered cruiser. However, he affirmed that the weapons remained secure throughout the ordeal, averting any further danger.
The identity of the suspect involved in this incident has yet to be disclosed by authorities.
Related news:
https://abc7.com/police-chase-stolen-chp-vehicle-pursuit-antelope-valley/13035903/
https://www.foxla.com/news/police-chase-chp-pursuit-stolen-cruiser-california
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